SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill signed into law Tuesday will protect immigrant families from escalating ICE enforcement. The new law creates safe zones and allows immigrants to file lawsuits against law enforcement violating their constitutional rights.
The Illinois Bivens Act ensures community spaces like hospitals, courthouses, universities and daycare centers remain safe for all residents, regardless of their immigration status. This law also requires a 1,000-foot safety zone around courthouses, including sidewalks, parkways and nearby streets.
"Together, we're sending a message to Donald Trump, Kristi Noem and Gregory Bovino and anyone else seeking to terrorize our people," said Gov. JB Pritzker. "Your divisiveness and your brutality are not welcome here."
People can now file civil lawsuits against law enforcement officers who violate their constitutional rights while engaging in civil immigration enforcement. That includes civil damages for false imprisonment, $10,000 in statutory damages and potential contempt of court charges.
Senate and House Republicans said this is a step in the wrong direction.
"We gotta get to reality here," said Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). "There's gonna be a gut check and reality check. We cannot handcuff our police while letting the bad guys get a thousand-foot head start."
All Illinois hospitals will be required to develop comprehensive policies for law enforcement interactions by early next year, with $500 daily penalties for noncompliance.
Daycares will also need to adopt policies for parental notification and consent requirements for sharing information about children. Facilities must ban disclosure of citizenship or immigration status unless legally required.
"Without strong protections, everyday life becomes a place of danger," said Rep. Norma Hernandez (D-Chicago). "That is where we are right now."
Yet, GOP leaders said the federal government is supreme under the U.S. Constitution. They stress that states cannot impose civil liability on federal officers.
"This bill goes too far," said Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis). "It is too broad, and there will be grave consequences to our state if it is adopted."
House Bill 1312 passed out of the Senate on a 40-18 vote. The legislation received a 75-32 vote in the House.
"Every single vote that was taken here was a Democrat that voted for this," said Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). "So, I have a question for my Republican colleagues: What more needs to happen so you can wake up to see what's happening to our communities, that they're terrorizing our communities?"Â
Pritzker and sponsors said they know the law will likely be challenged in court.Â
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